Winning a state championship in any sport in ANY state is an accomplishment that should make any coach and team extremely proud. Winning a state championship in Ohio with most people giving you little chance – well that’s just downright heavenly.

That is exactly what girls softball coach, Jillian Ongley did last season. For her and her team’s efforts The Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, at it’s annual Banquet of Champions at Wesbanco Arena, Ongley was presented the OVAC Coach of the Year award.

Ongley becomes the third female and the first softball coach to win the award. She was selected from four other finalists which included the Tigers Head Wrestling Coach, Sean Grinch, Wheeling Park Head Football Coach Chris Daugherty, Morgantown Head Boys Basketball Coach, Dave Tallman as well as Morgantown’s Head Girls Baketball Coach Jason White.

“I don’t have many remarks prepared. I am totally surprised,” said Ongley as she received her award. It was an unbelievable accomplishment and made even nicer by all the support we received from the people of the Ohio Valley. It was an honor to represent the OVAC in the state tournament and it was an honor to coach such a special group of girls,” she continued.

Ongley went on to thank her family, her husband Nick, Athletic Director, John Triveri, her coaching staff and the community of Shadyside.

Ongley was assisted last season by coaches Dave Ragase, Joe Weaver, Jaclyn Johnson and Amy Games.

Tiger faithful will not soon forget the climactic finish to the Ohio DIV state championship on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Akron’s Firestone Stadium. The Lady Tigers would lay claim to 1-0 as they scored the winning run on a suicide-squeeze bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning.